Education Secretary Michael Gove’s plans to speed up the removal of poor teachers mark the latest stage in his determined battle with the educational establishment. Many parents will back moves to simplify and shorten the process for sacking seriously under-performing teachers in England from the current minimum of 24 weeks to just nine. And headteachers back the plans, after a lengthy consultation. Nevertheless, Mr Gove faces a serious battle with the teachingunions.

A Tory Cabinet minister admitted to me earlier this week that he prays every day for Ed Miliband to remain leader of the Labour Party. It is an exaggeration to say that the Conservatives’ hopes of a clear majority at the next election rest on his slender shoulders. But it certainly helps David Cameron’s case that the man who will be his principal opponent on polling day is increasingly regarded asunelectable.